Commercial jets carrying hundreds of people had to be diverted in mid-air or else prevented from taking off to avoid potential collisions with two Russian bear bombers which “cloaked” their presence during their latest incursion into Irish-controlled airspace.

Despite assurances, Russian nuclear bombers entered into Irish-controlled airspace for the second time in two weeks, this time coming considerably nearer to our coast.

Ireland is "Europe’s weakest link" in air defence cover because our Air Corps is so poorly equipped it cannot defend our airspace against hijackers taking over commercial aircraft or intrusions by foreign military aircraft.

Russian ‘Bear’ bombers were recently involved in ‘very unusual’ activities over Irish skies, chased away by the British. Can’t we protect our own airspace, asks Sean O’Riordan